Kneller Hall cadets pay their respects by tidying war graves

An army cadet detachment in Whitton has pledged to tidy up the graves of war heroes in Twickenham cemetery.

For the next three months, cadets from 199 Kneller Hall detachment, aged 13 to 16, are working in partnership with Richmond Council to clear the graves as part of their bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Cadet Ellen Mitchell, 16, from Whitton said: “We have started by clearing the graves of weeds and cleaning the headstones.

“We have also planted bulbs that will hopefully flower every year.

“We hope to show that with the work we are doing that we still remember that sacrificed their lives for us.”

Most of the graves are in good condition and cadets have planted daffodils and other flowers by the headstones.

Lt George Iddiols, detachment commander, said: “This is a great project that has been led by the cadets, to show the local community that the young people of Richmond can give something back to their community.

“We hope to make this a regular activity and encourage the cadets to take a pride in the graves that they clean.”